Dog-Friendly Bory Tucholskie - Trails, Lakes and the Rules You Need to Know
Bory Tucholskie is one of the best dog-friendly regions in Poland - vast pine forests, clear lakes, rivers ideal for kayaking, and hundreds of kilometres of hiking and cycling trails. One important caveat: dogs are banned from Bory Tucholskie National Park, with a single narrow exception (the public road between Bachorze and Owink). The surrounding landscape parks and state forests are fully open. A lead is required on all public land, and rules can change - always check before you go.
Bory Tucholskie - Tucholskie Forest - is the second largest forest complex in Poland: over 3,000 sq km of pine woodland, lobelia lakes with crystal-clear water, rivers threading through the trees, and hundreds of kilometres of trails. For dogs, it's excellent territory - as long as you understand one critical distinction before you pack the car.
National Park vs Landscape Parks - what's the difference?
This is the single most important piece of information for a trip with a dog. Bory Tucholskie National Park (around 4,800 ha at the heart of the region) is closed to dogs - no exceptions based on lead, harness or size. The ban is total.
The one narrow carve-out is the public road from Bachorze to Owink (the so-called Pilska road, which crosses park territory) and the fishing boat mooring at Bachorze. Dogs on leads are allowed here, but you must stay on the road and not venture into the park. Treat this as a transit corridor, not a walking route.
The rest of the region tells a different story:
- Zaborski Landscape Park - a large buffer zone around the national park, with lakes and forest trails fully open to dogs on leads
- Tucholski Landscape Park and Wdecki Landscape Park - also open, lead required
- State Forests across the region - generally accessible for dogs on leads
Check current rules on the relevant park websites before your visit, as regulations can be updated.
Hiking trails - the best options with a dog
Bory Tucholskie has an extensive network of marked trails outside the national park boundary.
The Brda Trail (blue, Konarzyni to Bydgoszcz) is the most popular long-distance hiking route in the region, running through forest alongside the Brda River. The section from Charzykowy to Tuchola (around 70 km, 2-3 days) is a classic - relatively flat terrain, shaded forest paths, and small bridges crossing the Brda.
Lakeside loops in the Zaborski Landscape Park wind through viewpoints above lobelia lakes. These lakes are specially protected - their exceptionally clear water depends on a pristine watershed - so keep your dog away from the waterline in protected shoreline zones at marked lobelia lakes.
The Old Polish Yews Trail (green, 26 km, from Blądzim through Wierzchlas to Tleń) passes through the Cisy Staropolskie nature reserve in Wierzchlas, which holds one of Europe's largest yew concentrations. Entry into strictly protected reserve zones may be restricted - check the information boards at the trailhead.
| Route | Distance | Type | Dogs allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brda Trail (Charzykowy - Tuchola) | approx. 70 km | Hiking/cycling | Yes (lead) |
| Zaborski Landscape Park lake loops | various | Hiking | Yes (lead) |
| Old Polish Yews Trail | 26 km | Hiking | Check at entrance |
| Bory Tucholskie National Park | - | - | No (narrow exceptions above) |
Kayaking the Brda and Wda - with your dog on board
The Brda River is one of the most celebrated kayaking routes in Poland - 233 km of calm bends through forest, with campsites along the bank. The Charzykowy to Tuchola section (around 70 km, 2 days) suits beginners and is a genuine highlight of any visit. Many kayak rental companies in the region accept dogs on board - always ask when booking, since policies differ between operators.
The Wda River is the wilder alternative: bigger meanders, less traffic, and an even more remote feel. Also popular among dog owners who kayak.
If your dog hasn't kayaked before, start short. Let them get used to the boat before committing to a multi-day trip.
Lakes - where can dogs swim?
The region has dozens of lakes to choose from. The most well-known:
- Lake Charzykowskie - one of the largest in the region (over 1,300 ha), with the village of Charzykowy along its bank and a promenade. Dogs are not welcome at the supervised beach - look for stretches of shoreline outside the designated bathing zone.
- Lake Ostrowite - smaller and quieter, good for dogs away from the bathing area
- Countless smaller lakes in the forest - restrictions are minimal here, as long as you're not in a protected reserve or national park zone
On lobelia lakes within Natura 2000 areas, keep dogs out of the water - these are particularly fragile ecosystems.
What to bring
- Lead - required on all public land and trails
- Water and a bowl - forest trails don't always have clean drinking water along the way
- Poo bags - essential on shared trails
- Tick protection - Bory Tucholskie is a high-risk area for ticks (Lyme disease, anaplasmosis). Check our guide to ticks on dogs before you travel
- Basic first aid kit - worth carrying on longer hikes or multi-day kayak trips
For a broader look at travelling with a dog in Poland, see our dog-friendly holidays in Poland guide. If you want something more challenging, our mountain trails with a dog guide covers the Tatras and Beskids.
Where to stay
The region has plenty of dog-friendly accommodation - campsites, holiday cottages, and farm stays. Always confirm when booking that your dog is welcome and ask about any extra charges. Most places require dogs to be kept on a lead on site.
Use the DOGOUT map to find spots rated by other owners who've already been to the region - and maybe find a walking partner for a morning trail through the pines. Bory Tucholskie is big enough to keep surprising you. Get out there.
Frequently asked questions
- Are dogs allowed in Bory Tucholskie National Park?
- No. Dogs are banned from Bory Tucholskie National Park. The only exception is the public road running from Bachorze to Owink (known as the Pilska road) and the boat mooring at Bachorze - your dog must be on a lead and you may not leave the road. Check current rules at pnbt.gov.pl.
- Where can dogs run off-lead in Bory Tucholskie?
- A lead is the general rule on all public land and in landscape parks. Off-lead running is only possible on private property or where a landowner has explicitly permitted it. Always check local regulations.
- Can dogs swim in the lakes of Bory Tucholskie?
- On many lakes outside the national park - such as Lake Charzykowskie and Lake Ostrowite - dogs can enter the water away from designated swimming beaches. Avoid supervised bathing areas and the shores of protected lobelia lakes in Natura 2000 zones.
- Can I kayak with my dog on the Brda or Wda rivers?
- Yes - the Brda and Wda are popular kayaking routes and many rental companies accept dogs on board. Always confirm with the rental company when booking, as policies vary.
- Which hiking trails are accessible to dogs in Bory Tucholskie?
- Outside the national park, the Zaborski and Tucholski landscape parks and the State Forests offer well-marked hiking and cycling routes. The Brda Trail (blue, Konarzyni to Bydgoszcz) and lakeside loops are solid choices - a dog on a lead is a completely normal sight here.
- How do I find dog-friendly spots in Bory Tucholskie?
- Open the DOGOUT map - you'll see places tagged and reviewed by other owners in the region, along with routes they've already tested.
